Flyer



4 H. G. SCHWAGER FLYER Original Filed Jan. 15, 1959 INVENTOR. 44% 5am 55l/W46ffl BY United States Patent 3,157,620 FLYER Hans Georg Schwager, Chemin de la Plaisante 6, Lansanne, Switzerland Continuation of application Ser. No. 787,064, Lian. 15, 1959. This application Jan. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 83,402 16 Claims. (Cl. 57-117) This invention relates to flyers for use in the manufacture of yarns formed of various materials and, particularly, the manufacture of cotton and similar yarns, and has for an object the provision of a flyer having improved aerodynamic properties as Well as improved dynamic balance during all conditions of operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fiyer of the above character having improved static balance and more effective counterweight action of the presser during the operation thereof. In this respect, utilization is made of the aerodynamic effect created by the operation of the mechanism to improve the counterweight action of the presser.

A further object of the invention is the provision of flyers of the above character having greater strength, providing for the formation of a bobbin having a larger diameter than now possible with given flyer dimensions, and of fiyers, the manufacture of which by casting methods may be facilitated.

In order that these and other objects may be more fully understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing a fiyer constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the flyer mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fiyer of FIG. 1 with a portion cut away and in section;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view partly in section showing the presser foot and counterweight bar structure of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in section taken on the line VV of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is a view taken in section 'on the line VI-Vl of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

With reference to the above drawings, a flyer constructed in accordance with the present invention will be seen to include a tube 12 that is formed on the axis of the mechanism and having an inner bore 13 which may be conical in shape and adapted to receive a spindle of standard form. Formed on the tube 12 are the arms and 11, each consisting of an inclined upper portion and and under portion parallel to the central axis of the flyer, the shapes of which are illustrated, respectively, in FIGS. 5 and 6 by means of the cross-sectional views of those figures.

If desired, the arm 10 may be hollow at its lower end and provided with suitable counterweight material 28. The arm 11 is formed with a groove. 16 through which the yarn may be threaded and in which the yarn moves during the winding operation. As will be seen in FIG. 6, the outer forward edge of the arm 11 is formed with a rib 24 that serves not only to protect the groove mechanically but also to cause air to be directed inwardly toward the entrance of the groove 16, and thus maintain detached fibers in the groove effectively during operation. It will be understood, of course, that, during normal operation, the rotation of the flyer is clockwise as viewed in FIG. 3. In other words, as the arm 11 rotates, it moves downwardly as viewed in FIG. 6.

A further advantage of the structure of the arm 11 will be seen to be in its formation in the form of an H or double T with the web that connects the inner and outer sections of the arm extending generally in a radial direction, that is, radially of the flyer from the fiyer axis. As mentioned above, this structure, together with the circular formation around the groove 16, imparts substantial strength to the mechanism to resist deformation as a result of centrifugal force during rotation of the flyer.

The arm 11 is also provided with a presser finger 18 upon which a counterweight bar 17 is formed, the finger and bar assembly being hinged upon the arm 11 upon the axis 19 as illustrated in FIG. 4. In order that the advantages which will presently be described may be attained, it will be seen that the axis 19 is adjacent the inner and rearward side of the arm 11. To this end, the arm 11 is formed with outer and inner ribs 14 and 15 as viewed in FIG. 6, the inner rib serving as the support for the finger 18 and counterweight bar 17 assembly. The hinging of the finger and bar assembly to the inner rib 15 on the axis 19 is accomplished by means of pivot pins 21 and 25 which are received within holes 22 in the presser finger or rib 15, as desired.

It will be seen, from KG. 6, that the inner and outer ribs 15 and 14 provide spaced flanges completing the cross-sectional formation of the arm 11 in the form of an H or double T. It will also be observed that the pivot axis 19 assures that the leading edge of the counterweight bar 17 is always contiguous to the adjacent edge of the inner rib 15.

One important aspect of this invention is the formation of the finger 13 and bar 17 in such fashion that the center of gravity S of the finger 18 and the center of gravity S of the bar 17, as well as the pivots 19 and 25, are so disposed that they lie in a common plane P as viewed in FIG. 4. This results in improved dynamic balance during operation, as will be described presently.

It will also be seen that the structure is such that the outlet 20 of the groove 16 is closely adjacent the pivot axis 19 in order to reduce as far as possible friction variations of the sliver during the various positions of the presser finger 18 in the winding operation. In order to facilitate guiding the sliver about the finger 18, an extension 23 is formed on the finger adjacent the axis 19 thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3, the groove 16 will be seen to be inclined forwardly and downwardly (in the direction of rotation) to facilitate the introduction of the roving or sliver into the groove (as will be seen in FIG. 3) and also to provide improved aerodynamic effect during operation. At the same time, space is created for the location of the upper hinge.

The inner bore 13 of the tube 12 may be formed with oppositely spaced grooves 31} within which a driving plate 29 may be fitted by pressure, in replacement of the usual driving pin of the usual steel flyers. This new connection is stronger and cheaper in manufacturing and allows an eventual replacement without damaging of the flyer itself.

As will be seen from FIGS. 4 and 6, the counterweight bar 17 is formed of generally triangular cross section with the hypotenuse of the triangle extending from adjacent the axis 19 rearwardly and somewhat outwardly. The two legs of the triangle thus occupy the region of the counterweight bar that faces outwardly in a radial sense with respect to the axis of the fiyer. In this fashion, during operation of the mechanism, the position of the counterweight bar changes from that illustrated generally in FIG. 3 where one of the legs of the triangle substantially closes the space between the ribs 14 and 15, to a position in which the hypotenuse of the triangle lies generally on a tangent to the circle described by the inner rib 15 during its rotation. In other words, the axis of the pivot lies within the circumferential envelope defined by the outer surface of the arm (and preferably adjacent the inner surface of the arm) and lies substantially in a plane including the center of gravity of the finger and the center of gravity of the bar. In the latter position, the bobbin is substantially fully wound an the outward component of the air flow which is induced by the rotation of the bobbin impinges against the hypotenuse of the counterweight bar and thus contribut s to the counterweight action of the bar. This is of advantage because of the changing positions of the center of gravity of the finger and bar during the winding operation.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the structure of the arms of the fiyer is such that maximum strength is imparted thereto to resist deformation result ng from stresses created by centrifugal force. Moreover, the structure affording this added strength includes surface formations which impart streamlines to the mechanism in the rotational sense.

By suitably weighting the arm 1th with respect to the arm 11, the inherent static balance of these components is improved and, additionally, the static balance of the entire mechanism is improved by reason of the formation and the mounting of the finger and bar assembly so that the center of gravity of the presser finger, the center of gravity of the counterweight bar, and the hinge or pivot axis thereof upon the arm 11 lie in the same plane.

Moreover, the dynamic balance of the mechanism is improved during operation because, as the presser finger moves outwardly during build-up of the bobbin, the aerodynamic eifect upon the hypotenuse side of the counterweight bar increases, thus to offset the greater effect of centrifugal force upon the presser finger 13.

A further important feature of the mechanism is that the fulcrum or hinge point of the presser finger and counterweight bar assembly is behind the arm 11 and preferably adjacent the inner part thereof.

It will be seen that the mass of the counterweight bar 17 lies between the circumferential lines described by the inner and outer ribs 15 and 14 during their rotation. For example, the short leg of the triangle adjacent the pivot point 19 will be seen always to lie within these two circumferential lines. The other short leg will not move beyond the outer circumferential line defined by the rotation of the rib 14 because of the shape of the counterweight bar as illustrated in FIG. 6. The hypotenuse or greatest length of surface of the counterweight bar (as viewed in FIG. 6) will lie substantially tangent to the circumferential line described by the inner rib 15 in its rotation when the bobbin package is of greatest diameter. In this fashion, the entire counterweight bar will occupy a position between the two extremes which are the path described by the inner and outer ribs 15 and 14 during their rotation. As a result of this structure, the length of the effective lever arm between the center of gravity of the counterweight bar and the pivot 19 is greatest when the package on the bobbin is full. This is desirable because, at this time, the centrifugal force upon the presser finger 18 is greatest. In this fashion, the finger and counterweight bar are substantially balanced dynamically. When the presser finger 18 is in its starting position, as illustrated generally in FIG. 3, the effective lever arm between the point S and 19 is least, the corollary to the situation immediately abovedescribed.

Also, and as previously mentioned, the rib 24 on the leading edge of the groove 16 deflects air inwardly to offset the tendency of air at this point to flow outwardly during rotation. This immobilizes the relative air currents in the region of the groove.

This application is a continuation of my copending application Serial No. 787,004, filed January 15, 1959, for Flyer for Cotton Flyer Frames or Similar Machines."

I claim:

1. A fiyer comprising spaced arms, one of said arms provided with a frontal groove and a presser finger provided with a counterweight bar, having at least one edge, an inner and an outer reinforcing rib extending along said arm opposite said counterweight bar and imparting to the cross-section of the arm the form of a double T, and means to mount the finger and bar on said arm.

2. A fiyer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means to mount the finger and bar on said arm comprises means to maintain one edge of the bar in proximate relation to the inner rib in all positions of operation.

3. A fiyer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means to mount the finger and bar on said arm comprises a pivot, the axis of which is adjacent said inner rib.

4. A fiyer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said counterweight bar has a substantially triangular cross section.

5. A fiyer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frontal groove forms a sliver conduit having an upper portion which is inclined forwardly, downwardly and outwardly thereby reducing centrifugal movement of air in said conduit.

6. A fiyer as claimed in claim 1, including a conical hub attached to said fiyer arms and provided internally with two grooves adapted to secure a driving plate.

7. A fiyer comprising spaced arms formed upon a centrally disposed tube about which the arms rotate in a forward direction, a presser finger, a counterweight bar having a leading edge secured to the finger, and means to pivot and mount the finger and bar on an axis that lies adjacent a trailing surface of one of said arms and adjacent the leading edge of the counterweight bar whereby the arm and the bar lie substantially contiguous.

8. A fiyer comprising spaced arms formed upon a centrally disposed tube, a presser finger, a counterweight bar secured to the finger, said counterweight bar being formed with a side surface which is inclined radially outwardly at an angle to a radius of the fiyer, and means to pivot and mount the finger and bar on an axis that lies behind the center of one of the arms as it moves in the direction of rotation thereof.

9. A fiyer comprising spaced arms formed upon a centrally disposed tube, a presser finger, a counterweight bar secured to the finger, said counterweight bar being formed with a side surface which lies in a plane that is inclined radially outwardly at an angle such that, when the fiyer has wound a full bobbin, the side surface lies substantially perpendicularly to a radius of the fiyer, and means to pivot and mount the finger and bar on an axis that lies behind the center of one of the arms as it moves in the direction of rotation thereof.

10. A fiyer comprising spaced arms formed upon a centrally disposed tube, a presser finger, a counterweight bar secured to the finger, said counterweight bar being formed with a side surface which is inclined radially outwardly at an angle such that, when the bobbin to be wound by the fiyer is empty, the side surface lies in a plane that is at an acute angle with respect to a radius of the fiyer, and means to pivot and mount the finger and bar on an axis that lies behind the center of one of the arms as it moves in the direction of rotation thereof.

11. A fiyer comprising spaced arms formed upon a centrally disposed tube, a presser finger, a counterweight bar secured to the finger, and means to pivot the finger and bar on one of the arms with the axis of the pivot lying substantially in one plane including the center of gravity of the finger and the center of gravity of the bar.

12. A fiyer rotatable about a central axis comprising spaced arms formed upon a centrally disposed tube, a presser finger, a counterweight bar secured to the finger, and means to pivot the finger and bar on one of the arms with the axis of the pivot lying adjacent the circumferential envelope defined by the inner surface of such arm as it rotates about the central axis of the fiyer and lying substantially in one plane including the center of gravity of the finger and the center of gravity of the bar.

13. A fiyer comprising spaced arms formed upon a centrally disposed tube, one of the arms being formed with a hollow groove in the forward side thereof in the direction of rotation thereby forming an inner forward edge and an outer forward edge, and a rib formed on the outer forward edge of the arm adjacent the groove and projecting beyond the perimeter of the groove in the direction of rotation whereby upon rotation of the fiyer the rib will deflect air inwardly thus to offset the tendency of outward flow of air in front of the groove during rotation.

14. A fiyer rotatable in a forward direction about a cured to the finger, and means to pivot the finger and bar on one of the arms with the axis of the pivot lying along the rearward edge of the inner surface of the vertical portion, said inner surface of said counterweight bar forming a continuation of said inner surface of said arm on which said counterweight bar is pivoted.

15. A flyer comprising spaced arms formed upon a centrally disposed tube, each of said arms being formed by two portions joined at an upper arm location, the first portion of each of said arms diverging downwardly and outwardly from the tube to its respective upper arm location and then the second portion proceeding linearly downwardly from said upper arm location to the lower extremity of said arm, said second portion of each arm having an inner surface, a presser finger, a counterweight bar having an inner surface secured to the finger, and means to pivot the finger and bar on the first portion of one of saidarms above said upper arm location, said pivoting means being within the circumference defined by the rearward edge of the inner surface of said second portion of said arm.

16. A fiyer comprising spaced arms formed upon a centrally disposed tube, each of the arms having a down- Wardly and outwardly diverging upper portion at the extremity of which a downwardly extending portion depends, a presser finger mounted on one of the arms at the lower extremity thereof, and an inclined hollow groove formed in the downwardly extending portion of the last-named arm in the forward side thereof in the direction of rotation, which groove proceeds downwardly and rearwardly whereby air entering the groove will tend to flow downwardly and rearwardly following the path of least resistance and tending to encourage the flow of material through the groove in a downward and rearward direction thereby aerodynamically assisting in the movement of material through said fiyer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 747,134 Campbell Dec. 15, 1903 1,468,243 Mallalieu Sept. 18, 1923 2,873,571 Robinson Feb. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 693,243 Great Britain June 24, 1953 

1. A FLYER COMPRISING SPACED ARMS, ONE OF SAID ARMS PROVIDED WITH A FRONTAL GROOVE AND A PRESSER FINGER PROVIDED WITH A COUNTERWEIGHT BAR, HAVING AT LEAST ONE EDGE, AN INNER AND AN OUTER REINFORCING RIB EXTENDING ALONG SAID ARM OPPOSITE SAID COUNTERWEIGHT BAR AND IMPARTING TO THE CROSS-SECTION OF THE ARM THE FORM OF A DOUBLE T, AND MEANS TO MOUNT THE FINGER AND BAR ON SAID ARM.
 14. A FLYER ROTATABLE IN A FORWARD DIRECTION ABOUT A CENTRAL AXIS COMPRISING SPACED ARMS FORMED UPON A CENTRALLY DISPOSED TUBE, EACH ARM HAVING A VERTICAL PORTION WITH AN INNER SURFACE FACING THE CENTRAL AXIS, A PRESSER FINGER, A COUNTERWEIGHT BAR HAVING AN INNER SURFACE SECURED TO THE FINGER, AND MEANS TO PIVOT THE FINGER AND BAR ON ONE OF THE ARMS WITH THE AXIS OF THE PIVOT LYING ALONG THE REARWARD EDGE OF THE INNER SURFACE OF THE VERTICAL PORTION, SAID INNER SURFACE OF SAID COUNTERWEIGHT BAR FORMING A CONTINUATION OF SAID INNER SURFACE OF SAID ARM ON WHICH SAID COUNTERWEIGHT BAR IS PIVOTED. 